Here are the resources you need for this Sunday. Please feel free to choose what is suitable for your congregation’s needs. You will notice that the orders of service are available in different formats: choose the “pdf” format if you want something that is ready to print and photocopy, the “doc” or “rtf” format if you wish to change the formatting yourself or the “ppt” format if you use PowerPoint.

Altar colour:Green

Bible readings:Note: There are two sets of first readings (with accompanying Psalms) given for the Sundays after Pentecost: (a) a new semi-continuous set, and (b) a set related thematically to the gospels (as in the earlier form of the lectionary). It is intended that either one of these two sets be used throughout and that they not be mixed.
FIRST READING (a) Exodus 3:1-15 The call of Moses
OR (b) Jeremiah 15:15-21 Jeremiah’s inner struggle
PSALM (a)Psalm 105:1-6,23-26,45cOR (b) Psalm 26:1-8*For musical settings of these Psalms, please see the song suggestions below*
SECOND READINGRomans 12:9-21Living in love
GOSPELMatthew 16:21-28Jesus speaks about his death and discipleship

Prayer of the Day (Collect): Choose one of the followingTraditional
Keep, O Lord, your church
with your continual mercy;
and because without you
we in our frailty cannot but fall,
keep us always by your help
from all things hurtful,
and lead us to all things
profitable to our salvation;
through your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns
one God, now and forever.Amen.

OR, modernised traditional
Watch over your church, Lord,
with your constant mercy,
because without your support
we would fall.
Keep us from what might hurt us,
and lead us to what is good for us.
We ask this through your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.Amen.

OR, alternative
(Let us pray that we may offer ourselves to God. [silence])
Lord God, your Son humbled himself
in obedience to your will
and gave up his life for us.
Transform and renew us within.
Help us not to be conformed to this world,
but to dedicate ourselves to you,
and do what pleases you.
We ask this through your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.Amen.

OR, new
(Let us pray for dedication to Christ. [silence])
Thank you, loving Lord Jesus,
for freely giving your life for our sake.
Make us your faithful followers,
ready to take up our cross
and follow in your steps.
For you live and reign
with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.Amen.

Prayer after the gospelThis is the gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.Thank you, Lord Jesus,
for giving up everything and dying for us.
Help us to forget ourselves, carry our cross, and follow you.
Amen.

Offering prayerWe thank you, Lord God,
that your Son gave up his life for our sake.
Lead us who are his followers
to take up our cross and follow him.
Help us to give of ourselves
and all we have in your service.
Amen.

Second reading: Romans 12:9-21
LHS193 Jesus, with Thy Church abide* G9
349 Jesus, I my cross have taken G3
355 May we Thy precepts, Lord, fulfil* G3
357 O God, Thou faithful God* G3
367 O bring to the Lord your tribute of praise* G6
379 Lord of creation, to Thee be all praise G6
797 Blest be the tie that binds GS
803 Peace with the Father G7
855 Brother, let me be your servant GS
858 Make me a channel of your peace
859 Seek, O seek the Lord
AT95 Make me a channel of your peace
177 Love one another
191 Brother, let me be your servant
197 When I needed a neighbour
300 Practise love
301 May the Father of love
308 We are called to follow Jesus
463 Goodness is stronger than evil
491 You call me to love
507 Where you tread
TIS464 Seek, O seek the Lord
466 Peace with the Father
587 Fold to your heart your sister and your brother
607 Make me a channel of your peace
626 Lord of creation, to you be all praise
650 Brother, sister, let mew serve you
672 Lord of earth, and all creation

Gospel: Matthew 16:21-28
LHS336 ‘Come, follow me’, the Saviour spake* G3
351 ‘Take up thy cross’, the Saviour said G9
371 O Jesus, I have promised G5
AT401 Follow me (Anyone who wants to follow me)
413 The Summons (Will you come and follow me)
443 Like an angel
495 Come and follow me
506 Oh, let’s get up to love and serve579 Go and tell
TIS583 ‘Take up your cross’, the Saviour said
595 O Jesus, I have promised
625 I need you, Lord, for I have seen
656 Jesus, my Lord
681 Lord, let me see, more and more

PSALM 105TIS 66, O give thanks to God, is a version of Psalm 105:1-11.

The following metrical paraphrase of Psalm 105:1-6 by David Schütz is sung to the tune of ‘Trust and obey’, LHS 877. If reproducing this version, please put ‘Words (c) David Schütz’ at the beginning or the end of the psalm.

O give thanks to the Lord,
as you call on his name,
and make known all his deeds to the world.
Sing your praises to him,
as you tell what he’s done,
as you glory in his holy name.

Let the hearts of all those
who approach him rejoice.
Seek the Lord and his strength at his throne.
And remember his works
and the judgments he gave,
O you chosen of Abraham’s line.

Music Resources Vol. 3– Psalm settings: N/A

PSALM 26The following metrical paraphrase of Psalm 26:1-10 by David Schütz is sung to the tune Trisagion, LHS 865. If reproducing this version, please put ‘Words (c) David Schütz’ at the beginning or the end of the psalm.

Vindicate me, Lord, for I have been true,
and, without wavering, trusted in you.
Prove me, O Lord, and put me to the test,
try both my heart’s and my mind’s righteousness.

I keep your steadfast love always in sight;
I’ve lived in faithfulness through all my life.
I shun the worthless and vain hypocrite,
nor with the wicked will I ever sit.

I wash my hands to show you I am clean,
and, at your altar, I serve without sin,
singing to you a loud thanksgiving song,
telling your deeds to the world all day long.

I love the house where your glory abides!
Save me from all those who offer their bribes.
Those who do evil will be swept away –
save me from your righteous judgment that day.

OTHER HELPFUL WEBSITES FOR CHURCH MUSICWhile the LCA does not necessarily endorse the content of these websites, you may find them helpful in your worship planning.Small Church Music: You can download mp3 and midi files of popular hymn tunes from this site.Together to Celebrate: lectionary based song and hymn suggestions from a variety of sources.Singing from the Lectionary: has song and hymn suggestions based on the RCL from other hymnals.Song Select: you can search for more contemporary songs by theme. If your congregation has a paid subscription you can also download sheet music.Hymns Without Words: mp3 downloads of hymn tunes.